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Saturday, October 01 2022 / Published in Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature

Brandi Cyrus: Her Own Starpower 

By Kimberly Gatto

Portraits by Jeni Brunner

From Nashville to Hollywood, Brandi Cyrus is a familiar face in the entertainment world. The daughter of singer Billy Ray Cyrus and sister to Miley, Brandi is a talented musician, a highly sought-after DJ and co-host of two popular weekly podcasts. In addition, Brandi is a successful actress whose credits include “Zoey 101,” “Hannah Montana” and “Old 37,” among others. Despite maintaining a busy career schedule, Brandi has always found time for her primary passion in life: horses.

Having competed successfully on the “A” hunter-jumper circuit for many years, Brandi is well-known in the equestrian world not as a star entertainer, but rather for her devotion to horses, strong work ethic and positive attitude. Brandi’s love of horses developed early. After spending her first few years in Kentucky, Brandi moved with her family to Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 5.

“My dad had been around horses his whole life, as my grandfather had trained Spotted Saddle Horses. So when my dad got his first record deal, he bought a large amount of land and some horses. I was fortunate to grow up on a horse farm,” she said. “Dad put me on a horse, bareback, when I was 5—and that was it. I have been obsessed with horses ever since.”

Into the Saddle

“My first horse was a Tennessee Walker/Spotted Saddle Horse cross,” Brandi said. “Dad and I would ride all around on the trails every day for hours. When my parents realized how horse obsessed I really was, they sent me to an English riding camp.” There, 7-year-old Brandi learned to ride in an English saddle and eventually began jumping; it was the start of a lifelong passion.

“I started out in 4-H and then Pony Club,” she said. “I was at the barn all the time and grew up riding all different types of horses.” A natural rider, Brandi worked her way through the levels of Pony Club, eventually earning her C3 ranking, and competed through the Preliminary level in eventing. “I am still so thankful for all that I learned in Pony Club,” she said. “It wasn’t just riding—it was learning about veterinary care, nutrition, wrapping and many other things. To this day, I still do all of my own horse care. It’s very important to me.”

After graduating from high school, Brandi headed to college at Middle Tennessee State University, where she rode on the equestrian team. After her freshman year, however, the Cyrus family moved to California when Brandi’s younger sister, Miley, began work on the TV show “Hannah Montana.” Missing the closeness of her family—which, in addition to her parents and Miley, includes brothers Trace and Braison and sister Noah—she joined them in L.A. “At this time, my horse was retired so I decided to focus on developing my music career. I was in a band called Frank + Derol and was busy trying to make that work,” Brandi said. “I actually didn’t ride for about four years during this time.”

But fate had other plans. Brandi’s youngest sister, Noah, developed an interest in riding when she was around 10 years old and Brandi was recruited to help find a lesson stable. “When Noah decided she wanted to learn to ride, my mom, Tish, asked if I could help, since I was the only girl in the family who was already a horse person. I found a barn close to Burbank—the L.A. Equestrian Center—and started taking Noah there for her lessons. One day, Noah’s trainer asked me if I’d like to ride also, and the rest is history.”

Once she was back in the saddle, Brandi found it hard to imagine that she had ever been away from horses. “I kept thinking, Why did I stay away for so long?” she said. “I really needed horses back in my life, as I was struggling a bit and finding it hard to meet people in L.A.” As an added bonus, the horses brought Brandi closer to Noah as the two sisters—despite having a large age gap—were able to bond over their common interest. “It was so great, because Noah and I spent so much time together and became even closer. My mom also enjoyed going with us to watch, so we all became closer as a family through the horses.”

On Her Own

Like her older sister, Noah demonstrated a natural talent for riding and quickly began advancing through the pony hunter divisions. During the search for a new pony for Noah, Brandi inadvertently ended up with a hunter to show herself. “My mom took Noah to the Capital Challenge to find a pony for her, but ended up buying a pre-green hunter for me to ride instead,” Brandi said. “He was a chestnut gelding called Samba Gracious. The ‘A’ circuit hunter world was foreign to me, as I had grown up doing eventing, so I felt as if I didn’t really know what I was doing at the time, but I loved that horse. We trained with Jenny Karazissis at Far West Farm in Calabasas. We ended up doing the Amateur Owner hunters and did pretty well. We had a lot of fun.”

When she turned 25, Brandi decided to leave L.A. as her band had dissolved and she longed for a less- hectic life back at home in Nashville. “I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my career,” she said. Unfortunately, her beloved Samba wouldn’t be able to accompany Brandi to Tennessee. Despite having grown up in an affluent family, Brandi was now on a budget as her parents had taught the kids to be self-sufficient and financially independent once they reached adulthood. “My mom said I could either pay to take Samba with me or we would have to sell him. I couldn’t afford to move him at the time, so he was sold. It worked out well though, because we ended up selling him to my friend Nicole Kane and her mom, Heidi. They kept Samba for the rest of his career and really loved him.”

Now on her own and living in Nashville, Brandi was determined to find a way to keep horses in her life while developing her career and living on a budget. “I didn’t know what I was doing in my life, but I knew I had to have horses,” Brandi said. “I ended up finding a 5-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred mare called Everlasting. She was a project horse that I was able to purchase for $5,500. I brought her up through the amateur jumpers, but she tore a tendon and had to retire early. I still have her now at my home and she is my best trail buddy.”

While Brandi had enjoyed her time showing in the hunters, she now realized that the jumper ring is where she belongs. “I enjoyed doing the hunters with Samba, and I have huge respect and appreciation for hunters as a sport—it’s truly an art form,” she said. “But my heart is in the jumpers.”

With that in mind, Brandi began the search for a horse that could help her reach her goals. “Two years ago, I was horseless and was thinking that I really wanted to do the Amateur/Owner jumpers. But I knew I couldn’t afford to buy a horse like that in the U.S.,” Brandi said. “So, against my trainer’s wishes, I bought Starpower from Europe based on a video.” The horse, a gorgeous grey 16.3-hand Holsteiner/Hanoverian mare, had been bred in Estonia and was purchased from the Czech Republic. “When she arrived, she had lost a lot of weight from traveling and looked almost like a borderline rescue case,” Brandi said. But Star—as she is affectionately known around the barn—quickly blossomed under Brandi’s love and care.

“Star has incredible scope and talent. She is the most athletic horse I’ve ever had the pleasure of riding,” Brandi said. “But she can be so difficult. For the first six months, I could barely canter, so we just worked on basics. I bought her the Christmas before the pandemic hit, so I used that quarantine time to learn how to ride her correctly. It has been a journey for me and a big reality check. She has tested me in the best way; she has taught me patience and humility. She is almost like riding a roller coaster: She turns it on at the shows and actually is easier to ride there. She makes a big show of herself when she enters the ring.”

Balancing a Career

Brandi and Star are currently competing successfully in the Low Amateur/Owner jumpers with aspirations to move up to the Medium Amateur/Owner jumpers next year. While Star is still green, the pair has already achieved some success in the show ring, including top ribbons at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, under the tutelage of Dani Grice of Hunters Court Stable. “Dani is amazing,” Brandi said. “She is just a little older than me, and I’ve known her since I moved back to Nashville. Dani can ride any horse and is really great with those horses that are unconventional or don’t fit the typical mold. I think I actually visited every hunter-jumper barn in Nashville before I decided on Dani’s. I don’t believe there is anybody else who could ride my quirky horse so well. I am so thankful for Dani.”

When she’s not at the barn or competing, Brandi continues to build a successful career as a DJ, for which she receives rave reviews. “After the band broke up, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be in the music industry full time,” Brandi said. “I got more interested in the fashion world and I noticed there were a lot of girls DJing the fashion parties. So I asked a friend, who had been a wedding DJ, if he would show me the equipment and software. From there, I just taught myself. I started doing it and learned along the way, and I found that I really love DJing. It is creative and fun for me to create energy in a room. I really enjoy it.”

In addition to working full time as a DJ, Brandi hosts two popular weekly podcasts: Your Favorite Thing, which she co-hosts with her longtime friend Wells Adams from “The Bachelorette,” and Sorry We’re Stoned, a collaboration with her mom, Tish. “I actually don’t smoke, but we liked the title because ‘stoned’ can also mean a state of happiness or bliss,” Brandi said. “It’s really a show about fashion, interior design and other topics from a mother and daughter’s perspective. People can also call in for advice from us. It’s a lot of fun to work with my mom.”

As if she weren’t busy enough, Brandi also maintains a widely-read lifestyle blog called Style Native. “It started as a fashion blog and now includes traveling too. I also try to incorporate some equestrian lifestyle stuff into the blog. Last year, I got to collaborate with Noëlle Floyd, which was super fun. I’m always looking for ways to incorporate the horse world into my blog because horses are truly my passion.”

In work and in life, Brandi has become well known for her strong work ethic and her positive attitude, both of which have contributed to her success. “I’m willing to work hard to achieve my goals. I would love to move up to Medium Amatuer/Owners and the 1.30m classes, and someday do the mini prix. I’d also love to one day ride at some of the Longines show jumping competitions,” Brandi said. “As an adult, it can be tough to find the balance, as we do have to work every day to pay for it all, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Brandi remains humble and grateful for the many horses that she has had in her life thus far. “Every horse has taught me so many different things,” she said. “Green horses, quirky horses—I enjoy them all. Every horse I’ve had has been a ‘horse of a lifetime’ to me. I’m just so blessed to have horses in my life.”

“Even though I enjoy competing, for me, it’s purely for the peace and joy I get from being around horses,” she said. “They are the most important part of my life.”

For more information, follow Brandi @brandicyrus or visit stylenative.com

Photos by Jeni Jo Photography, jenijophoto.com

Brandi is wearing a dress by Cavanagh Baker, www.cavanaghbaker.com

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: Billy Ray Cyrus, Brandi Cyrus, Cyrus family, Miley Cyrus, Noah Cyrus, Tish Cyrus

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Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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